Chapter 3
AN IMPERIAL CAPITAL : VIJAYANAGARA
Answer in100-150 words
1. What have been the methods used to study the ruins of Hampi over the last two centuries? In what way do you think they would have complemented the information provided by the priests of the Virupaksha temple?
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2. How were the water requirements of Vijayanagara met?
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3. What do you think were the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the city?
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4. What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
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5. Fig. 7.33 is an illustration of another pillar from the Virupaksha temple. Do you notice any floral motifs? What are the animals shown? Why do you think they are depicted? Describe the human figures shown.
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Write a short essay (about 250-300 words) on the following:
6. Discuss whether the term “royal centre” is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.
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7. What does the architecture of buildings like the Lotus Mahal and elephant stables tell us about the rulers who commissioned them?
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8. What are the architectural traditions that inspired the architects of Vijayanagara? How did they transform these traditions?
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9. What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the various descriptions in the chapter?
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Map work
10. On an outline map of the world, mark approximately Italy, Portugal, Iran and Russia. Trace the routes the travellers mentioned on p.176 would have taken to reach Vijayanagara.
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Project (choose one)
11. Find out more about any one of the major cities which flourished in the subcontinent during c. fourteenth-seventeenth centuries. Describe the architecture of the city. Are there any features to suggest that these were political centres? Are there buildings that were ritually significant? Is there an area for commercial activities? What are the features that distinguish the urban layout from that of surrounding areas?
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12. Visit a religious building in your neighbourhood. Describe, with sketches, its roof, pillars and arches if any, corridors, passages, halls, entrance, water supply, etc. Compare these features with those of the Virupaksha temple. Describe what each part of the building is used for. Find out about its history.
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